Fluid Dampening Element for Stable Bidirectional Medical Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Medical fluid management systems using peristaltic or membrane pumps often experience undesirable pressure fluctuations, which can be problematic in certain medical procedures, necessitating the development of alternative components to reduce these fluctuations.
Innovation Solution
A fluid management system comprising a fluid pump, a fluid pathway, and a dampening element with movable seal members and biasing members that actively dampen pressure fluctuations, smoothing the pulsatile flow and including a fluid flow sensor to measure the flow rate, with the dampening element capable of adjusting to both inflow and outflow directions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If peristaltic or membrane pumps are used to transport fluid, then fluid can be delivered through the medical device, but pressure fluctuations occur that are undesirable in some situations
Solution Approach 1:
A dampening element is introduced as an intermediary component between the pump and the medical device. This dampening element includes a compliant chamber that absorbs pressure fluctuations from the pulsatile pump output, providing a buffer that smooths the fluid delivery to the medical device while maintaining the pump's productive fluid transport capability
2Reliability
If a dampening element is added to reduce pressure fluctuations, then pressure stability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The dampening element is designed to be integrated with the fluid pathway components rather than being a completely separate assembly. The compliant chamber is incorporated into the existing fluid pathway structure, merging the dampening function with the fluid transport pathway and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining pressure stability
3Adaptability or versatility
If the dampening element is designed to handle both inflow and outflow directions, then adaptability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The dampening element is designed as a universal component that can handle fluid flow in both directions (inflow and outflow). The compliant chamber and biasing member configuration allows the same dampening element to effectively dampen pressure fluctuations regardless of flow direction, eliminating the need for separate dampening elements for each direction and simplifying the overall device structure
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively reduces pressure fluctuations in both flow directions, ensuring a smoother and more consistent fluid flow, thereby enhancing the reliability and effectiveness of medical procedures.
Implementation Method 1
a biasing member disposed within the barrel and engaged with the movable seal member... The elastic element may be a spring. The elastic element may be in compression. The elastic element may be in tension.
Implementation Method 2
The biasing member may be a gas, such as a gas at atmospheric pressure (e.g., atmospheric air) or a compressed gas.
Implementation Method 3
In some fluid management systems, peristaltic or membrane pumps may be used which cause a pulsatile or non-continuous flow of fluid
Data Source
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AI summary
A fluid management system may include a fluid pump capable of generating a pulsatile flow of fluid, a fluid pathway for transporting the pulsatile flow of fluid from a fluid source through the fluid pump to a medical device, a dampening element in fluid communication with the fluid pathway and operably independent of the fluid pump, the dampening element comprising one or more barrels, each barrel including a movable seal member disposed within the barrel and a biasing member disposed within the barrel and engaged with the movable seal member, the dampening element being responsive to pressure fluctuations of the pulsatile fluid flow to actively dampen the pressure fluctuations, and a fluid flow sensor disposed along the fluid pathway between the dampening element and the medical device to measure a flow rate of the smoothened pulsatile fluid flow in both flow directions.